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In its finale, Udaari puts shame where it belongs — with the rapist

The masterfully written drama ends on a hopeful note for survivors of child abuse
26 Sep, 2016

For a drama based on the very sobering subject of child rape, Udaari managed to end on a surprisingly celebratory note. Defying the entire mazloom aurat stereotype that our TV dramas love to perpetuate, the women of Udaari don’t just manage to survive but actually triumph over their circumstances.

Although it is a close call, Zebu finally gets the justice she deserves but it is not without a fight. Rape is the strangest crime, one where the survivor feels the burden of shame for an act she/he had no consent in, and too often society works to protect the abuser.

Farhat Ishtiaq's beautifully written, well researched story touches on all the difficulties faced by those who have suffered this most heinous of crimes, but what sets it apart is how it shows a path out of the cycle of abuse.

Also read: Udaari is proof: A TV drama doesn't need helpless women to be a hit

A stellar team

Udaari began as a slice of Pakistani society, and with such a large cast of players it could easily have diluted its message with time-filling side tracks. However, the writer kept the focus on the main theme and made each character an integral part of moving the plot forward.

The always outstanding Bushra Ansari kept viewers laughing and crying as Sajjo’s best friend Sheedan, while Urwa Hocane has gave a fabulous performance as Sheeda’s daughter Meera. Meera evolved from a shy, insecure young girl, ashamed of her Merasi roots, to a proud singer, accepting her own identity and helping Zebu through the rape case. It is these wonderful bonds of love and friendship between women; working to lift each other up instead of pulling each other down that makes this drama so different.

Bushra Ansari kept viewers laughing and crying as Sajjo’s best friend Sheedan, while Urwa Hocane has gave a fabulous performance as her daughter, Meera. Meera grows into a proud singer, accepting her identity and helping Zebu through the rape case. It is these wonderful bonds of love and friendship between women; working to lift each other up instead of pulling each other down that makes this drama so different.

Ahsan Khan’s acting has been a study in excellence from the beginning to end of this serial, bringing the manipulative evil of Imtiaz frighteningly to life. What made this last episode especially gratifying was the way the burden of shame finally shifted to its rightful place: firmly on Imtiaz’s shoulders. At last, it was he who hid his face in humiliation and disgrace as the truth of his guilt came out.

Similarly Samiya Mumtaz has given another powerful and memorable portrayal as a woman facing every parent’s worst nightmare. Like a lot of women in a difficult situation, Sajjo thinks she can limit Imtiaz by guarding her daughter but she learns the hard way that such predators can never be controlled or negotiated with. When Sajjo leaves Imtiaz, she makes her first and most important choice; even though she has no resources or family help, she takes the steps necessary to get her daughter out of harm’s way.

Sexual assault of a child is an incredibly tough subject to translate to the screen, but director Ehtashamuddin does it with remarkable subtlety
Sexual assault of a child is an incredibly tough subject to translate to the screen, but director Ehtashamuddin does it with remarkable subtlety

Director Ehtashamuddin has elicited some phenomenal performances from his cast and kept a tight rein on the story line and pace of this serial. Sexual assault of a child is an incredibly tough subject to translate to the screen and it is to the director’s unending credit that he maintained the impact of the act without resorting to lurid details or graphic scenes. That restraint and subtlety are what kept PEMRA from banning this serial, and made it accessible to larger audiences in a society which would rather not acknowledge the existence of such abuse let alone face up to it.

Ehtashamuddin is fast becoming a watchword for quality family viewing: Aseerzadi , Sadqay Tumhare, Preet Na Karyo Koi and now Udaari all bear his skillful touch. We can only hope he can bring his talents to a bigger screen soon.

A strong message

Meera and Arsh’s love story was another thread that lightened the mood in what could have been a very depressing story. Farhan Saeed as Arsh may well be the most unlikely Farhat Ishtiaq hero ever. Looking at him I can only be reminded of one of those memes “when you have a case in court but have a rock concert afterwards.” Arsh never lost that rock star swagger while hitting those law books and somehow Farhan Saeed managed to make this curious combination work.

Farhan Saeed, Urwa Hocane and Ahsan Khan at the success party and finale preview of Udaari earlier this week - Publicity photo
Farhan Saeed, Urwa Hocane and Ahsan Khan at the success party and finale preview of Udaari earlier this week - Publicity photo

Following the theme of strong women, by the end of the episode it is Meera who delights the audience by proposing to Arsh and presents him with a ring. The most wonderful part about this scene wasn’t Arsh “winning” Meera, but Meera’s realization of how important Arsh was to her and how unimportant those barriers of class had become now she was a person in her own right.

Ahsan Khan’s acting has been a study in excellence from the beginning to end of this serial, bringing the manipulative evil of Imtiaz frighteningly to life. What made this last episode especially gratifying was the way the burden of shame finally shifted to its rightful place: firmly on Imtiaz’s shoulders.

This serial was made with a grant from the Canadian Government and the Kashf foundation (an NGO which works for women’s empowerment in Pakistan) in collaboration with Momina Duraid Productions, with a stated goal of raising awareness about child abuse and pedophilia. Hina Altaf Khan as Zebo was a bit of a mixed bag but where she did succeed was with the positive affirmation:

“Main victim nahi main survivor hoon. Main beychari nahi banoo gee, main apney mujrim ko sazaa dilwaoon gee. Sharam mujhai nahi ussay karnee chahiye.”

If this single dialogue of empowerment can help even one person come out from the shadows then this serial has succeeded beyond all hopes. However, we can't ignore our own responsibility as a society. The story amply illustrates the critical points of failure that facilitated Imtiaz’s power. If Sajjo’s family had helped her, she would not have fallen into Imtiaz’s trap, if the eyewitness to Zebu’s rape had saved her instead of keeping quiet and most of all if Sajjo had listened to her daughter earlier much of this the tragedy might have been avoided.

Perhaps the best takeaway from this serial is that it shows survivors that even if they cannot completely heal they can move on and enjoy the rest of their lives. They are not bound by the rapist’s crime, they can be free. The last scene shows Zebu studying hard to be someone who can advocate for other survivors, because the very best use for the lemons life gives you is to make sweet lemonade.

Comments

Careless Whispers Sep 26, 2016 02:24pm
Ahsan Khan was Awesome....
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Dr. Khurram Kayani Sep 26, 2016 02:27pm
After a very long time I got glued to a play and proud of my selection too. Honestly speaking one would always imagine astounding performances from legends like Bushra Ansari, Rubina Ashraf, Saba Pervaiz but never thought that someone could outshine one of them and took all the glitter from a play and that was Ahsan Khan as I waited all week to see him .. what next? I believe he deserves the biggest award possible for this unmatched performance. Everyone has given his or her best.
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Dr. Khurram Kayani Sep 26, 2016 02:27pm
This has touched a very serious issue which is extremely common in third world countries today. Factually speaking parents let their kids in the hands of their uncles and cousins to teach them sex education rather sit and explain them. No boy or girl dare tells her/his parents the ordeal if it happens to them. Unless we change the Police culture in this country nothing will succeed. I wish and pray that our parents don't let their children alone with their elders at any time. Check where they are going and keep a close vigilance on them. Thank you for bringing such a great play to us.
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Najam Sep 26, 2016 02:43pm
Just awesome drama. Congratulations to Udaari team to score on two front child abuse and women empowerment.
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sufyan Sep 26, 2016 02:51pm
An outstanding production. Farhan saeed was really good but Ahsan Khan made history with his role
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Bilal Hussain Sep 26, 2016 02:51pm
superb drama and acting by the cast. All actors did well but Ahsan Khan's role was the most versatile. He was at his best !!
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jiyala Sep 26, 2016 02:55pm
It was an excellent serial, a far cry from the usual saas, bahu theme (and a mazloom aurat) of our dramas. Ahsan Khan and Bushra Ansari's acting was really outstanding and a step above others. Overall 9/10 (9 because story could have used some more tightening, even though the message was great)
Recommend
Siraj Patel "Paguthanvi" Sep 26, 2016 02:59pm
TV DRAMA UDAARI---....A subject i.e. Child Rape which has connotation worldwide has been so tactfully and brilliantly tackled by all concerned including writer, producer, Director and all the Actors/Actresses in a Hum TV Drama Udaari that it deserves not only the Pakistani Film Fare Award 2016 but Can festival & Hollywood Film fare awards as well. The Drama UDAARI should be Dubbed in various languages of the World so that the powerful message enacted in it goes worldwide to educate people so as to encourage them how they could help eliminate the evils of Child Rape by assisting various agencies and the Courts. ---- Siraj Patel "Paguthanvi" Bolton UK
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Ammar Sep 26, 2016 04:27pm
The story itself was inappropriate and cannot be declared as family story. Rape victims should not be highlighted as done in this serial. People really don't appreciate these sorts of serials and how can a eastern woman watch such types of serials while sitting with family? So sad to say that drama & film makers are still not familiar with the viewers choice and with Pakistan's trends and culture.
Recommend
Varinder Sep 26, 2016 04:38pm
The best drama. I am Indian, I don't know the actors real names but everyone in this drama did great job. Story, acting, plot, screenplay, music, character everything was flawless. I used to wait whole week to watch Udaari. So sad it is finished
Recommend
Syed Waqar Ali Sep 26, 2016 04:48pm
Udaari is the best drama of 2016. Every body's role was outstanding. It gives a clear message that the victim should not think of being a victim, she should be courageous and fight to the hilt. Entire team of Udaari i.e., the producer, director and the actors deserve kudos for their outstanding delivery. The end of the drama was superb and it should have been like this.
Recommend
Ijaz Sep 26, 2016 04:57pm
Put simply: this is the best TV drama to be aired in Britain since Ken Loach's @Cathy come Home' nearly 50 years ago.
Recommend
Zaheer Sep 26, 2016 05:31pm
Couldn't watch the serial but my family told it was a good drama ever..
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Huma Sep 26, 2016 05:47pm
Amazing simply amazing is the word for Udaari.
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Masood Hussain Sep 26, 2016 06:26pm
Enjoyed Ahsan Khan's performance every bit
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fayza Sep 26, 2016 07:27pm
@Ammar Oh my God! Where in the world do you live is all I can say to your comment.
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Nazish Sep 26, 2016 07:59pm
@Dr. Khurram Kayani in some families yes but in a lot of families no . I remeber my parents saying the only blessing you can get from a male is by a pat on the head ..no sitting in laps or big hugs were ever allowed .
Recommend
curious mind Sep 26, 2016 08:06pm
What a great serial it was from start to end, living legend Bushra Ansari was great but Ahsan Khan took the lead on everyone's performance, he deserved highest possible award for his realistic acting , I am sure I am not the only one who was impressed with his great performance.
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Ali Ahmad Sep 26, 2016 09:13pm
A good endeavor to hilight child abuse. Bushra, Ahsan and Marva's performance was marvelous beside all other actors doing excellently.
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Syed Waqar Ali Sep 26, 2016 10:49pm
@Zaheer No problem, if you have missed it, you can watch on You Tube.
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Shafaq Sep 26, 2016 10:59pm
@Ammar I watched this drama with my family. And it was brilliantly presented. Such issues should be highlighted and please do give me on good reason for not highlighting rape victims as done in this serial?
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Shamim Sep 26, 2016 11:55pm
My hats off to Ahsan Khan. He accepted such a strongly negative role and excelled in it.
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Rkhan Sep 27, 2016 12:18am
Though in a negative character Ahsan Khan has wonderfully portrayed as Mitiaz. Best ever and award winning performance of his career. Farhan sayeed stands his next.
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Tahir Chaudhry Sep 27, 2016 12:21am
Ahsan Khan's one of the best performance.
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Asma Ali Sep 27, 2016 12:25am
Best drama serial of 2016. @ Ammar, I hope you are joking.
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Majida Sep 27, 2016 12:41am
This drama was epic!! Can we have more of these dramas and less of "Mazloom Aurat" types? Majority of our population watches TV and hence the only way of enlightening the minds is Media. Hope this drama brings positive change in our society. Let's Hope!
Recommend
hirni Sep 27, 2016 01:15am
awesome drama..loved everything of this drama, story,script,characters , actors..Continue making drama like this. I am hooked to pakistani serials
Recommend
Sailani Sep 27, 2016 03:15am
@Ammar Are you serious? Hide your head in the sand.
Recommend
Danish Jafri Sep 27, 2016 05:18am
A great message based drama. accting, story line, dialogues, character plotting and music was perfect. Bushra Ansari, Ahsan khan and the young girl acting was superb. I live in New Zealand but used to wait the whole week and watch every episode of Udaari.
Recommend
Imran Khan Sep 27, 2016 05:33am
Excellent, Excellent and Excellent..Last episode made me cry on may occassions
Recommend
Pakistani Sep 27, 2016 07:26am
A big well done to the whole team of udari and to hum tv for broad casting it. This is what pakistani dramas were at one time but later came under Indian soap influence. I hope many more serials will be made on social issues.
Recommend
Khan Sep 27, 2016 09:40am
It was a very good drama of 2016. Bushra Ansari was great. The topics of child abuse and women empowerment was great. But the child abusers part was too much graphic and sometimes was disgusting for me. I also could not understand why it was told that the band member brother and sister went to England for study and the girl married a GORA it was emphasized and was quite unnecessary injection. May be due to foreign investment we have to highlight such unnecessary ideas. However the drama was a real success.
Recommend
ak Sep 27, 2016 10:23am
Ahsan Khan....ufff... "Oe chuchay jea wakeel, tare bhi gichi maror dnga" , a blend of excellence in performance and a powerful story line. Ahsan Khan was at his best bringing that pesky Imtiaz to life.
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Hassan Sep 27, 2016 10:54am
One the best Pakistani dramas ever. The writer deserve kudos for his great storyline on a very touchy subject, specially in Pakistan. All the actors were superb. Ahsan Khan's performance was par excellence. Bushra Ansari and Urwa Hocane were outstanding. Samiya Mumtaz , Farhan Saeed and all the other supporting actors did full justice to their roles.
Recommend
Rifat Taj Sep 27, 2016 12:12pm
This drama Udaari should be given international recognition and be awarded. Every character was played superbly. A powerful drama. Well done Pakistan
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Rizwan Sep 27, 2016 01:33pm
The motivational poem for women at end credits of the film - #PINK .. ! https://www.facebook.com/AmitabhBachchan/videos/1366257836741335/
Recommend
Talha khan Sep 27, 2016 01:55pm
Excellent production and well deserve work. just wondering about the story if the last witness were not there for robbery, imtaiz will set free and no one know about the victims. it will not be happy conclusive ending. i think that the ending of this drama should be based on bold decision by the victims, right follow up by lawyers and giving solid decisions by the judges on such cases.
Recommend
MAH Sep 27, 2016 01:58pm
It was an awesome finish to the traumatic story, I especially loved the twist to Faiz's poem in the end. The song just summed the whole story well!
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nayaab khan Sep 28, 2016 07:28am
Ahsan Khan deserves every award possible. He marked his place in Pakistan's drama industry a long time ago but this drama has marked his place as one of the best actors in the world. He nailed it in every way, no one could've done it better. He made us hate him more and more each week and thats when you know the villain has done his job well. So glad Pakistani's are emerging from the typical saas bahu dramas to something that serves as as lesson and eye opener for everyone out there. Shukriya Pakistan ;)
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Ammar Sep 28, 2016 09:39am
@Shafaq People are not supposed to watch awareness programs on entertainment channels is all i wanted to say.
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Karim Mombani Sep 29, 2016 11:31am
One of the best serial reflecting the real crises in Pakistan rural areas. Wish something practically could be done to stop this injustice.
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